In 2019, a new English Senior Secondary syllabus (QCAA, 2019) was implemented in all schools across Queensland, Australia. This syllabus, incorporating high-stakes external examinations and supporting documents, instigated a shift in the teaching and assessing of senior secondary English that has been both challenging and revitalising for…

This paper provides a description of practice outlining changes made to English assessment structures for the purpose of facilitating improved teaching and learning. These changes, which included marking, feedback, reporting, and the evaluation of the efficacy of teaching, were implemented across Years 7 to 10 English classes in an independent…

Reasons that if one of the best ways to motivate writing is to write with the students, perhaps the best way to teach English is to talk with the students, read to them, write with them, exploring mutual concerns in an effort to express feelings and thoughts. (RB)

Explains that throughout the past one hundred years, the question of how Shakespeare plays should be taught has been a point of contention in the New South Wales secondary English curriculum. Outlines the two main stances, the traditional literature-based approach and the active approach with emphasis on the text as play script. Discusses the…

Discusses what a month-long seminar on English teaching in Dartmouth in 1966 accomplished and failed to accomplish. Outlines its stance on integrated activities and assessment. Notes questions not raised at the seminar, by default or inevitability. Proposes new questions and possibilities since Dartmouth. (PM)